Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)
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Understanding the origin of philosophy: The main objective is for students to understand the historical and cultural context that gave rise to philosophy, and how it developed in Ancient Greece. This includes understanding the influence of myths and the shift from mythical to philosophical thinking.
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Identification of the main pre-Socratic philosophers: Students should be able to identify and briefly describe the main pre-Socratic philosophers, including their main ideas and contributions to philosophy.
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Understanding the transition from mythical to philosophical thinking: Students should be able to explain how ancient Greek philosophy represented a significant shift from mythical to rational and logical thinking.
- Secondary objectives:
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Developing research skills: Through the study of pre-Socratic philosophers, students will be encouraged to develop research skills and delve deeper into philosophical themes.
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Stimulating critical thinking: By analyzing changes in human thinking and the contributions of pre-Socratic philosophers, students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills.
Introduction (10 - 12 minutes)
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Review of previous concepts: The teacher should start the lesson by reviewing concepts of Greek mythology, as ancient Greek philosophy emerged as a transition from mythical to philosophical thinking. This can be done interactively, through questions and answers, to engage students and assess retention of previous concepts. (3 - 4 minutes)
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Problem situations: The teacher can present two situations that arouse students' curiosity and prompt them to think about the origin of philosophy. One possibility would be to ask why, in Ancient Greece, people began to question mythical explanations for natural phenomena. Another possibility would be to ask how philosophical thinking changed the way the Greeks viewed the world and themselves. (3 - 4 minutes)
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Contextualization: The teacher should explain the importance of studying the origin of philosophy, highlighting how this knowledge helps us understand not only the evolution of human thought but also the basis of many ideas and concepts that are fundamental to our contemporary understanding of the world. For example, the influence of Greek philosophy on science, politics, and ethics can be mentioned. (2 - 3 minutes)
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Introduction to the topic: To introduce the topic and capture students' attention, the teacher can share two curiosities. First, they can mention that the word 'philosophy' comes from Greek and means 'love of wisdom,' reflecting the questioning and inquisitive nature of the discipline. Next, they can mention that in Ancient Greece, philosophers were seen as unusual people, often being ridiculed or ignored for their 'strange' and 'radical' ideas. These stories can help humanize the philosophers and make the topic more engaging for students. (2 - 3 minutes)
Development (20 - 25 minutes)
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Content exposition - Origin of philosophy in Ancient Greece (7 - 8 minutes)
- The teacher should explain that philosophy, as we know it today, originated in Ancient Greece, in the 6th century BC, specifically in the city of Miletus.
- The historical and cultural context of the time should be discussed, highlighting the mythical and religious society of Ancient Greece, which sought answers to fundamental questions of existence through myths.
- Next, explain how the early philosophers, known as pre-Socratics, began to question mythical explanations for natural phenomena, seeking rational and logical answers.
- The teacher should emphasize that ancient Greek philosophy represented a radical change in human thinking, ushering in the era of rational and logical thought.
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Description of the main pre-Socratic philosophers (8 - 10 minutes)
- The teacher should present and briefly describe the main pre-Socratic philosophers, including Thales of Miletus, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Zeno of Elea, and Democritus.
- For each philosopher, the teacher should highlight their main ideas and contributions to philosophy.
- For example, mention that Thales of Miletus believed that water was the primary substance of all things, and that Anaximander proposed the existence of an indefinite and infinite substance.
- The teacher should emphasize that, despite their differences, all pre-Socratic philosophers shared the desire to find rational explanations for natural phenomena.
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Practical activity - Connection between myth and philosophy (5 - 7 minutes)
- The teacher should propose an activity in which students will have to identify the main differences between mythical and philosophical thinking, using the information that has been presented.
- Students can work in groups and will receive cards with characteristics of mythical and philosophical thinking. They will have to match each characteristic to the corresponding thinker (pre-Socratic philosopher).
- This activity aims to reinforce the presented content and develop the skill of comprehension and critical analysis.
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Research activity - Pre-Socratic philosophers (5 - 7 minutes)
- The teacher should suggest that students, in groups, choose a pre-Socratic philosopher to research further. They should gather information about the life, main ideas, and contributions of this philosopher to philosophy.
- This activity aims to deepen students' knowledge of pre-Socratic philosophers, as well as develop research skills and teamwork.
Return (8 - 10 minutes)
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Group discussion (3 - 4 minutes)
- The teacher should facilitate a group discussion so that students can share their findings and conclusions after completing the practical and research activities.
- The teacher should encourage students to express their opinions, make connections with the current world, and question the presented concepts.
- This discussion will allow the teacher to assess the level of students' understanding and clarify any doubts that may have arisen.
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Connection with theory (2 - 3 minutes)
- After the discussion, the teacher should summarize the main points presented, connecting them with the theory that was introduced at the beginning of the lesson.
- The teacher can reinforce the importance of pre-Socratic philosophers in the transition from mythical to philosophical thinking, and how this influenced philosophy and human thought to this day.
- The teacher should highlight how the practical activity and research helped students better understand the theoretical content, encouraging the application of acquired knowledge.
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Individual reflection (2 - 3 minutes)
- To conclude the lesson, the teacher should propose that students reflect individually on what they have learned.
- The teacher can ask questions such as: What was the most important concept you learned today? What questions remain unanswered? How can you apply what you learned in your daily life?
- This reflection stage will allow students to consolidate what they have learned and identify any gaps in their understanding, which can be addressed in future classes.
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Feedback and evaluation (1 minute)
- The teacher should request quick feedback from students about the lesson, asking if they found the content interesting and if they understood the explanations.
- The teacher can take this opportunity to assess the class's level of understanding and plan adjustments or reinforcements for future classes, if necessary.
- It is important to encourage students to express their doubts and difficulties, creating an open and welcoming learning environment.
Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)
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Content summary (2 - 3 minutes)
- The teacher should summarize the main points covered during the lesson. This includes the origin of philosophy in Ancient Greece, the shift from mythical to philosophical thinking, and the description of the main pre-Socratic philosophers and their contributions.
- The importance of studying the origin of philosophy for understanding the evolution of human thought and the basis of many ideas and concepts fundamental to our contemporary understanding of the world should be reinforced.
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Connection between theory, practice, and applications (1 - 2 minutes)
- The teacher should highlight how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications.
- This can be done by emphasizing how the practical activity of connecting myth and philosophy allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge in a concrete way.
- The teacher can also mention how the research activity developed research skills and deepened understanding of philosophical themes, which are applicable in many other areas of study.
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Extra materials (1 minute)
- The teacher should suggest extra materials for students who wish to deepen their knowledge on the subject.
- This may include books, articles, documentaries, websites, and podcasts on the origin of philosophy and the pre-Socratic philosophers.
- The teacher can also encourage students to explore how ancient Greek philosophy influenced science, politics, ethics, and other areas of knowledge.
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Importance of the subject (1 - 2 minutes)
- Finally, the teacher should summarize the importance of the subject for students' daily lives.
- It can be highlighted how philosophy, as the love of wisdom, is a discipline that invites us to question, think critically, and seek truth.
- The teacher can also emphasize how the ability to analyze and question, developed through the study of philosophy, is essential not only for academia but also for students' professional and personal lives.
- The teacher should conclude the lesson by reinforcing the value of the knowledge acquired and encouraging students to continue exploring and questioning the world around them.